How to wear the Van Dyke Beard style the best you can – Tips, Tricks, Pics and great examples2017-06-072017-10-10http://virilebeard.com/wp-content/uploads/logo-virile-beard.pngVirile Beardhttp://virilebeard.com/wp-content/uploads/pierce-brosnan-the-van-dyke-beard-style-featured.jpg200px200px

What Is A Van Dyke

This 17th-century style was introduced by the Flemish painter Anthony Van Dyke. It consists of separated mustache and a goatee with clean-shaven cheeks. There are a lot of small variations in this style that include handlebar mustache, soul patch, and the various goatee styles. Most famous variations are the “Doc Holiday” and the “Mistletoe” although they never did gain a lot of fame.

Who Can Pull It Off?

The Van Dyke is a style best suited to the artistic type of personality. It’s a bit narcissistic style because of all the flattering that comes with it. I would say that square and round faces would benefit more from this particular mustache style. The two lines descending past the mouth add some vertical direction to the face, making it appear longer.

Anecdote

When it was introduced it gained huge popularity but unfortunately, it quickly lost it. Only a few men proceeded to wear this particular style. These men were known as the “vow-beards” because of their vow to keep wearing them until the King wears it again. The Van Dyke regained its popularity in the 19th century in the United States, but it was condemned that it indicated a man “who was selfish, sinister, and pompous as a peacock.”

How To Horseshoe Mustache Guide:

Shaping and Trimming Your Van Dyke

Its best to grow a full beard, so you’ll have plenty of material to work with. The main tools that you will need are a trimmer and a razor if your trimmer doesn’t have an edge function.

Step 1

Start with trimming your beard to about 1.5 cm in length. The whiskers should be no longer than 2.5 cm

Step 2

Use the trimmer to create a straight line from the outside and inside corner of your lips to your chin. The line should be distanced about 5 mm from your lips. You choose how thick you want to be your whiskers.

Step 3

Make sure the upper edge of your mustache is also nice and clean.

Step 4

When you are all done stylizing the mustache, depending on your preferences you should shape your soul patch or goatee. The form and length can vary and is left to the wearer to chose.

Maintaining Your Van Dyke

Keep in mind that this beard style requires regular maintenance. You should shave the neck, chin, and cheeks every few days to keep it clean. Also, don’t forget the regular oils and balms treatment. Find out more in our in-depth grooming guide.